Souderton Booters Should Remain In Elite Company

Last season, Souderton rode atop the state soccer polls for six weeks before a heartbreaking 1-0 setback to Downingtown in the District 1 semifinals ended the Big Red's most spectacular season ever.

This season, the Indians should stay up in that elite company, and hope to take the season one step further into inter-district play. Coach Terry Underkoffler welcomed back 11 letterwinners and eight starters this fall, and with that experience and returning talent, the Indians figure to again sweep into postseason play.

Elsewhere, experience also gives Quakertown an optimistic outlook at improving last year's third-place finish in the Suburban One League's Liberty Division; the ongoing teacher's strike in Pennridge is taking valuable on-the- job training away from the Rich Cobb's green Rams; and Upper Perkiomen's Jack Kreuger is still struggling to build a program after starting the sport just four seasons ago.

SOUDERTON

Souderton roared through the Liberty Division last year, capturing the school's first-ever soccer title and posting a 15-0-1 league mark marred only by a 1-1 tie with Methacton. Then came a 3-1 win over Conestoga for the school's first-ever postseason soccer victory before Downingtown - which eventually finished fourth in the state tournament - ended the Indians' season.

However, returning talent such as Derek Laux (15 goals in 1987), Jim Williams, Dave Busch and Andrew Toburen should be enough to offset the graduation losses of starters Christian Havig, Steve Panner and goalie Craig Smith.

"We've got a lot to work with," admitted Underkoffler, who has turned Souderton's soccer fortunes around in his four years at the helm. "But everyone gets up to play you when you're on top, and that's what's happening now. I can sense a different feeling this year, even in the scrimmages."

Laux, Toburen and Dave Weber give the Big Red scoring punch, and Toburen got the season started with a bang last week, scoring both goals in a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Upper Perkiomen. Defensively, Shane Michalak, Dave Clemens and sweeper Busch play in front of Rusty Whiteman, who, at 6-7, is probably the tallest goalie in the state. Whiteman saw considerable playing time last year behind Smith, giving up just three goals.

"We're going to try to work in some 10th graders," said Underkoffler, whose team was ranked second in the state heading into post-season play last year. "But this year, the goal is to get out of the district. We're going to be challenged everywhere we go, but if we stay together, we'll be okay."

QUAKERTOWN

Like Souderton, Quakertown also earned its first-ever postseason soccer victory last year, beating Sun Valley 5-0 before Council Rock halted the Panthers' season with a 4-3 second-round win. That ended Quakertown's year at 9-9-3 (6-7-3 and third in the Liberty Division), and despite the loss of a half-dozen veterans, coach Bruce Knauss expectsanother contending year.

"This is the most experience we've had in several years," said Knauss, entering his ninth season. "I think we can be in contention for the (division's) third playoff spot, or maybe even do better."

Knauss looks for scoring from Paul Jellen and Eric Neiman, who combined for 23 goals last year, and for leadership from co-captains Matt Myers and John Gibson, a pair of midfielders both beginning their third varsity season. Because of an unsettled and untried goaltending situation, Knauss also needs strong seasons from senior defenders Mark Bochney, Todd Carter and Gavin Laboski. Between the pipes, juniors Tom Bisko, Jeremee Birli and Bill Licopoli bring just 92 minutes of varsity experience into the current season.

"Goalie is an untested area for us," said Knauss, "and we just have to hope that any or all of those three rise to the occasion."

Also battling for playing time are seniors Tom Horner, Jim Hillegass and Brent McClelland; juniors Jason Bachelor and Todd Moran; and sophomore Mike Zimmerman.

PENNRIDGE

With just a handful of returning players, a strike was the last thing Cobb needed to get his youthful Rams ready for the rugged play in the Suburban One League's National Conference.

"These kids are hard-workers - they're never satisfied with what they're dowing on the practice field," said Cobb, awaiting the start of his 15th season. "Their work ethic is just phenomenal. But this strike is a very big setback to us; the kids are missing the game experience that they need so much."

Senior Ed Foster has switched to midfield from his forward position of last year, and Cobb looks for Chris West to spark the offense this season. The return of midfielder Scott Groeber, who missed much of his sophomore year with an injury, and the play of senior midfielderTom Weinman are also keys, Cobb said.